FJ40 Gauge Restoration Pkg

[gauge marks]

no offense but you didn't make this thread... if you have a product you want to post up to the forum make your own thread.. dont hijack someone else's.. that's not polite!

::break::

gauges look great!! i'm curious to see how difficult it will be to source the correct images for the different years.. (aka this might work on a 1978 but what about other models?)

how many other years do you think you'll do? i realize it wouldn't be practical to have absolutely every FJ40 gauge configuration

Thanks for your interest and comments. Much appreciated.

Gauge restoration is our business, so yes we are willing to do additional configurations. Others have mentioned that they would prefer the 50 AMP pkg or a VOLTS pkg. Some other people would like to have Km/h markings. Depending on the amount of interest shown in this first offering, we are ready to move forward with other options. Once a few members here have installed these packages and given their reviews, I'm sure others will follow.

We have a source for other gauges to do the artwork from. Which option we go with next would depend on the amount of requests we get for a particular gauge package. Which year model (and gauige package) do you have?
Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[gauge marks]

That looks like a great product.

My only comment is that you replicated the lettering on the small guages too well. I have noticed, depending on cluster that the lettering for the Fuel, Oil, Amp, Temp actually seems a bit smudged sometimes. The letters can almost have a little overspary around them it seems. I don't know how Toyota painted them, if they were pressed on there, or sprayed, but I would prefer a little cripser letters myself.

The guage faces and numbers on the speedo always seemed crisp, but the letters below don't. The details of the "M" and the "A" and "P" seem to get lost.

I used some Testors model paint, flourescent orange to brighten up my needles once. Do you have a preffered method for that, as I see you refreshed the needles on your test set.

You're correct about the smudging. The lettering (at least on this set of gauges) seems to have been pad printed; which will leave a smudging around the letters. I suspect that the dies actually had more definition in areas such as the arcs in the "M". We debated on how to work around this, and decided to use the points that were seen on the originals (but leave the lines straight without ballooning).

Testors paint is great for painting needles. we use Testors fluorescent red.
Tah

 

[TOBASH]

Do you make a model that shows both Miles per hour and Kilometers per hour?

Best,

T

 

[Biscuit]

no offense but you didn't make this thread... if you have a product you want to post up to the forum make your own thread.. dont hijack someone else's.. that's not polite!

If this was a product for sale thread then it would be in the Merchandise Storefront under the vendors market.

But, this is tech where such things are debated and discussed. Last I checked many people have challenged pricing on this part of the forum, and my second response was a response to a direct challenge to me. This will likely be my last response on this thread unless anyone else wants to talk s***.


Back on the thread topic:
The restored cluster does look fantastic. The idea to use the sheetmetal screws to reattach the faces is brilliant and simple (just like a 40 series)

 

[gauge marks]

Do you make a model that shows both Miles per hour and Kilometers per hour?

Best,

T

We hope to be offering restoration packages with Km/h soon. A few members seem to be interested in this addition.
Thanks!

.......Back on the thread topic:
The restored cluster does look fantastic. The idea to use the sheetmetal screws to reattach the faces is brilliant and simple (just like a 40 series)

Thanks for the comments. The faces could just as easliy be reattached with pop rivets. We drilled the holes in the gauge faces just a wee bit larger than the screw to allow for adjustments. The screws work great for that.

 

[gauge marks]

We now have a few of these packages available for immediate delivery. We're starting off with six sets, and will adjust stock on these according to purchase volume.
$99 per set with FREE shipping!
The listing can be found HERE in the Merchandise Store Front.
Please let me know if there are questions or comments. I will also be watching this thread for posts. We appreciate all of the comments and interest so far.
Thanks again!
Daniel

 

[gauge marks]

Just a note...
We will be out of town for Trans Am Nationals Aug 25-29, but can ship sets before or after those dates.
Thanks again for all the input and interest!
Daniel

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Absolutely gorgeous!

I will definitely be in if you get the kmh option, and a volt option (instead of the ammeter that is stock).

Nice work indeed!

Dan

 

[zags]

I bookmarked your site. I will be buying a set when I get to that point in my resto

 

[Mr FJ55]

looks beautiful

 

[General Automag]

Got a few pics today of the gauge faces that we restored. I will post more information later tonight or tomorrow about how to purchase the restoration package (for those that are interested). I'll put a link in this thread to the post in merchandise store front.
Thanks again!
Daniel

How do you go about "blackening" the black part of the gauges? I have a speedo that has some light "rust" marks on it and would like to refurb them. Thanks, your gauges look good!

 

[gauge marks]

Absolutely gorgeous!

I will definitely be in if you get the kmh option, and a volt option (instead of the ammeter that is stock).

Nice work indeed!

Dan

Can you post a pic of your gauges? I've seen some of the later model gauges that had km/h and volts. The lines are also different, right? We are planning to expand the offerings for the FJ40 if there is enough interest.
Thanks!

I bookmarked your site. I will be buying a set when I get to that point in my resto

We appreciate your consideration. Just let us know when you are ready!

looks beautiful

Thank you for the compliment. Very much appreciated!

How do you go about "blackening" the black part of the gauges? I have a speedo that has some light "rust" marks on it and would like to refurb them. Thanks, your gauges look good!

I bead blasted the faces of these gauges, then repainted them with a satin black. The small gauges have flat faces, so they could just as easily be sanded if you don't have a blast cabinet available. A scotch brite pad could be used on the inner speedometer piece. You'll definitely want to get rid of the rust before repainting.

ID the back of each gauge face before stripping or blasting

Bead blasted faces. I used a piece of tape over the turn signal lenses then traced with a hobby knife.

Painted with satin black.

After the paint has cured the gauge marks can be applied. The needles can be painted with Testors fluorescent red before reinstalling the faces. We reattached the faces with #4 sheetmetal screws after drilling the mounting holesd with a 3/32" bit.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Can you post a pic of your gauges? I've seen some of the later model gauges that had km/h and volts. The lines are also different, right? We are planning to expand the offerings for the FJ40 if there is enough interest.
Thanks!

Daniel: I'll do more than that.

I think your website had an email address. I'll send you an email with what I'm thinking in the next few days (hopefully before you get back).

Dan

 

[gauge marks]

Daniel: I'll do more than that.

I think your website had an email address. I'll send you an email with what I'm thinking in the next few days (hopefully before you get back).

Dan

Sounds good Dan. Let me know what you have in mind.

Also another option...
If anyone is interested in having their gauges restored by us in our facility rather than doing a DIY resto, we can also provide that service. Let me know if this is something that you would be intereted in. I can work up pricing information for that as well.
We appreciate all the great feedback!
Daniel

 

[Christian]

Hi

it was me asking about the volt face originally, and especially the 24V

I could send you a km/h face from a BJ42 and a volt face from a Hj60, so you could see the difference?

 

[gauge marks]

Hi

it was me asking about the volt face originally, and especially the 24V

I could send you a km/h face from a BJ42 and a volt face from a Hj60, so you could see the difference?

Thanks for the reply!
Will the km/h face be compatible with the FJ package? Also, I'm assuming that the 24 V gauge is for diesel? Is the rest of the gauge package (ie: fuel, temp, oil pressure, speedometer) the same for both diesel and gas? We are interested in creating new packages! Just want to make sure we keep things all straightened out and the packages correct. It's easy to make mistakes if getting into a rush. We're very excited about becoming a part of this community, but we want to do it right.
Thanks again for all the great input!
Daniel

 

[Christian]

I am pretty sure that the km/h are the same for diesels and gas powered vehicles with km/h instead of m/h.

I think the small ones are the same for diesel and gas...

Of course the 24V are for all European diesels, as all I have ever seen here are 24V, but you could easily make both a 12V and a 24V version, the placing is the same, it's just the numbers that differs. 'This would give the feller who would like to take a FJ/HJ60 volt gauge and adapt it for the 40 series what he needs!

I asume you plan to produce to order, once you have the layout ready. So oem-look with custom potential, like replacing the amp gauge with a volt one, could be a big seller.

 

[gauge marks]

... So oem-look with custom potential, like replacing the amp gauge with a volt one, could be a big seller.

That sounds interesting. We are providing a similar service in our restorations for Camaro. The 70-75 Camaro used and AMPS gauge, then changed over to volts in '76. The rest of the gauge package is the same, so providing both options is easy enough. A lot of the early Camaro owners are converting to volts gauges.

Would you mind posting a pic of the VOLTS gauge and Km/h speedometer? If we can combine them as a package that is desirable to other members we are more than happy to produce it!

Thanks again for the great input!
Daniel

 

[gauge marks]

Wanted to mention that we offer inhouse gauge restoration as well for anyone that is interested. We've had a few inquiries about that already.

Some of the Fbody guys are having us restore their gauges using 3M Di-Noc carbon fiber film as a backing. This stuff looks great, and is a great alternative if the guage faces have some minor pitting from rust. The faces can be bead blasted and treated before the application. Here is an example.
Thanks again for all the great input!
Daniel

 

[gauge marks]

Wanted to follow up to let you guys know we are back in town. A few members have contacted me about various things. Looks like we will have additional artwork for other gauge packages soon (ie: volts, 50 amp amp gauge, FJ47 tach, and international markings for later models).

Thanks again!
Daniel